The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department today announced it has successfully completed a review process to maintain national accreditation status through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The nonprofit PHAB works to advance and transform public health practice by championing performance improvement, strong infrastructure, and innovation. In maintaining its accreditation status for another five years, LFHCD has demonstrated that it meets PHAB’s quality standards and measures and has the capacity to continue to evolve, improve and advance, thereby becoming increasingly effective at improving the health of the residents of Lexington.

PHAB’s accreditation program, which receives support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sets standards against which the nation’s governmental public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance.

“We are proud to once again be recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for achieving its national standards, demonstrating that the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department continues to set the bar high in our efforts to help Lexington be well,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Kraig Humbaugh. “The health department’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic further affirms our commitment to the health of all Lexington residents. Through the data we share, the policies we promote, and the services we provide, LFCHD shows the value we bring to the community each day.”

LFCHD achieved national initial accreditation status through PHAB on Feb. 17 after undergoing a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment process to ensure it met a set of quality standards and measures. Compliance Officer Katrina Howard oversaw LFCHD’s submission. Today’s announcement goes a step further by demonstrating that LFCHD has the capacity to become increasingly effective at improving the health of Lexington.

“We are extremely pleased to be at the point in the accreditation program where the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, along with many others, are successfully maintaining their five-year accreditation status through PHAB,” said PHAB President and CEO Paul Kuehnert, DNP, RN, FAAN. “In so doing, these health departments are assuring their communities that the value of accreditation is long-term – not a one-time recognition – and that continual improvement is the hallmark of a 21st century organization.”

Often called the “backbone” of the public health system, public health departments are on the front lines of communities’ efforts to protect and promote health and prevent disease and injury. PHAB-accredited health departments demonstrate great leadership by placing their work for peer review, with the goal of using the feedback obtained during the process to improve the services they provide to their communities.